October Becomes the Highest-Revenue E-Commerce Month of the Past Year

Peak season has begun. October brought the first big deal events of the quarter, and many shoppers started their holiday purchases early. Online spending responded with a sharp jump.

October Revenue Jumped 20.2% in One Month

September closed at US$434.6 billion in e-commerce revenue. October reached US$522.4 billion, a month-on-month increase of 20.2%.

That puts October at the top of the past twelve months. It even comes in ahead of November and December 2025, the two months that usually carry the holiday peak. Deal events pulled part of that holiday demand forward, and early shoppers did the rest.

Compared with October last year, revenue grew 7.8%. The monthly jump reflects the season. The annual figure shows the underlying market still expanding.

The US and South Korea Lead While Europe Trails

The US led growth once again at 8.8% year-on-year. South Korea followed close behind at 8.5%, and China picked up pace with 7.5%.

• Germany follows with 5.5%

• The UK grew year-on-year by 5.3%

• France trails with 3.5%

Europe moved more slowly than American and Asian markets.

Care Products Top the Category Ranking

Care Products grew fastest in October, up 9.4%. Fashion followed at 7.7%, with Furniture & Homeware right behind at 7.5%.

All three categories gain from the run-up to the holidays. Care products and fashion are classic gift categories. Homeware benefits as households prepare their homes for the colder months and the festive season.

Card Networks Keep Gaining Ground

Visa is the most widely adopted payment method among online stores this month, accepted by 78.6% of them. Mastercard sits just behind at 78.3%. Amex follows at a distance with 58.1%.

All three networks have gained close to a percentage point in store adoption since August. Card acceptance is already close to standard for most online stores, and it keeps edging higher heading into the busiest weeks of the year.

Wrap-Up: Peak Season Starts Early

October set the tone for the rest of the quarter. Revenue climbed above last year's holiday months before November even began. Growth was spread unevenly, with the US and Asia pulling ahead and Europe moving at a slower pace. Gift-friendly categories took the lead, and stores widened their card options for the rush ahead.

November and December now have a higher bar to clear. Whether they surpass October will show how much holiday demand the early deal events have already absorbed.